Beowulf Summary: A Complete Synopsis of the Epic Poem

The scene of the story is laid first in Denmark. The great hall, built by the Danish king for big gatherings and feats with his followers, has been laid waste for 12 years by a monster named Grendel who visited the place at night to devour people there. The dreadful news spread to the Geats, a neighboring tribe across the sea, in the south of Sweden. Beowulf, a nephew to the Geat king Hygelac, sails to Denmark with 14 companions and offers to fight with Grendel. In a terrible hand-to-hand battle at night, Beowulf tears off an arm of the monster who is mortally wounded and flees to his den beneath the sea.

The Danes rejoice over the victory, but in the night that follows, Grendel's mother comes to avenge her son and kills one of Hrothgar’s kinsmen. Beowulf follows her to her cave under the waves, and in a terrific combat Beowulf destroys the she-monster with a magic sword hung on the wall of the cave. The victor returns and a merry feast is held to celebrate the happy event. Beowulf is rewarded with gifts and he and his companions return to their native land.

Beowulf has reigned over his people for 50 years, a dragon is now making trouble to the country because one of the Geats has offended the monster by stealing a precious cup from the dragon’s hoard of treasure. Beowulf fights the dragon fearlessly. The dragon is killed but the aged king receives a mortal wound. The poem ends with the description of Beowulf’s funeral and the people’s praise of the dead king’s virtues.